Galliford Try is due to start construction of a new 8,000 sq m market hall at the former Galleries site in Wigan town centre.
Developer Cityheart and Wigan Council have signed agreements allowing the principal contractor to begin the first phases of the project this week.
Chinese construction company BCEGI and demolition contractor PP O’Connor recently completed the large-scale demolition and investigation works.
During the first phase of demolition, apprenticeships and training placements were provided for local people through projects with Wigan Youth Zone and Wigan and Leigh College.
Galliford Try will also undertake ground and enabling works across the wider site to progress the next phases of the new mixed-use neighbourhood.
Wigan Council’s £135m redevelopment of the Galleries aims to transform the town centre and stop its decline.
The project was given planning consent in November 2021.
Hilton-owned US hotel chain Hampton confirmed this year it will build a 144-bed hotel in the development.
Wigan has been a market town since King Henry III granted it a Royal Charter in 1246.
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I worked in Wigan 20 years ago when the galleries were flourishing but they were killed stone dead by the out of town retail parks.
I’m not sure a new market will serve any purpose. I can think of two in other towns the area which are struggling. Both have had considerable investment and both have vacant stalls on market days and some closing up at 4:00 PM